Method and apparatus for using a wireless communication device with multiple service providers

ABSTRACT

Configuring a mobile wireless communication device using a carrier service configuration profile selected from a set of stored carrier service configuration profiles. Carrier service configuration profiles are selected based on one or more combinations of identifier values stored in the mobile wireless communication device. Carrier service configuration profiles are priority ranked based on a specificity of the one or more combinations of identifier values.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/303,611 entitled WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONDEVICE by Robert Kukuchka et al., filed Feb. 11, 2010 which isincorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The described embodiments relate generally to wireless mobilecommunications. More particularly, a method is described for configuringa mobile wireless communication device by selecting a serviceconfiguration profile based on stored identifiers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mobile wireless communication devices, such as a cellular telephone or awireless personal digital assistant, can provide a wide variety ofcommunication services including, for example, voice communication, textmessaging, internet browsing, and electronic mail. Mobile wirelesscommunication devices can also run a variety of applications that cangenerate and reproduce audio, video, pictures, graphics and text inmultiple forms, thus providing a user of the mobile wirelesscommunication device a content rich, multi-media experience. The user ofthe mobile wireless communication device can subscribe to one or moreservices offered by a wireless communication service provider thatenable the mobile wireless communication device to access differentresources through a wireless communications network. Each user'swireless communication service subscription can be customized to theuser's specific requirements. Some users can prefer a voicecommunication only service through the mobile wireless communicationdevice, while other users can subscribe to additional data services,such as access to the internet or unlimited text messaging. Servicesoffered to a user can depend on the capabilities of the wirelesscommunication service provider through which the user subscribes.

In order for the mobile wireless communication device to provide theuser access to services offered by the wireless communication serviceprovider, certain operational parameters can be configured in the mobilewireless communication device. Some mobile wireless communication devicemanufacturers customize mobile wireless communication devices forparticular wireless communication service providers within a country orgeographic region. With this customization, the wireless communicationservice provider can associate the mobile wireless communication devicemore closely with their brand and with a particular user experience. Themobile wireless communication device can be customized by loading aparticular set of operational parameters specific to the wirelesscommunication service provider at the time of manufacture by the mobilewireless communication device manufacturer. This customization method,however, can prove disadvantageous for the mobile wireless communicationdevice manufacturer can be required to configure and ship multipleversions of the same mobile wireless communication device, eachcustomized for a particular wireless service provider. It is preferableinstead to manufacture one (or a few) versions of the mobile wirelesscommunication device and to distribute generic versions of the mobilewireless communication device throughout the world. The mobile wirelesscommunication device can then be customized closer to or at the finalpoint of sale.

In addition, a user of the mobile wireless communication device canprefer to use the same mobile wireless communication device at differenttimes with different wireless communication service providers. Forexample, the user can subscribe to a primary wireless communicationservice provider at home and to a secondary wireless communicationservice provider when traveling abroad. At present, automaticcustomization of a wireless communication device's configuration candepend on a limited set of parameters stored in the wirelesscommunication device, thereby limiting the specificity of customizationpossible. Current methods cannot conveniently offer the flexibility tooffer different groups of users that use the same manufactured wirelesscommunication device on the same wireless communication network adifferent set of operational parameters, and thus a customized userexperience automatically without manual user intervention. Thus thereexists a need for a method to configure a wireless communication devicebased on a combination of identifiers stored in the wirelesscommunication device to provide a customized configuration of thewireless communication device.

SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIBED EMBODIMENTS

This paper describes various embodiments that relate to methods toconfigure a wireless communication device. A method to configure awireless communication device based on a combination of identifiervalues stored in the wireless communication device to provide acustomized configuration of the wireless communication device isdescribed.

In one embodiment a method of configuring a mobile wirelesscommunication device the method includes at least the following steps.In a first step, accessing a set of identifier values stored in themobile wireless communication device. In a second step, selecting a setof carrier service configuration profiles based on combinations of theaccessed set of identifier values. The carrier service configurationprofiles are stored in the mobile wireless communication deviceseparately from the identifier values. In a third step, configuring themobile wireless communication device using one of the selected carrierservice configuration profiles.

In some embodiments the method further includes a step of assigning apriority ranking to each of the selected carrier service configurationprofiles based on a specificity of the combination of identifiers usedto select the carrier service configuration profiles. Some combinationsof identifiers are more generic, while other combinations of identifiersare more specific. The mobile wireless is configured to use a carrierservice configuration profile with the highest priority ranking.

In another embodiment, a mobile wireless communication device isdescribed. The mobile wireless communication device includes at least aprocessor and a memory unit coupled with the processor. In the describedembodiment, the processor configures the mobile wireless communicationdevice by accessing a set of identifier values stored in memory unit,selecting a set of carrier service configuration profiles based oncombinations of the accessed set of identifier values, and configuringthe mobile wireless communication device using one of the selectedcarrier service configuration profiles.

In yet another embodiment, computer readable medium for tangibly storingcomputer program code executable by a processor for configuring a mobilewireless communication device is described. The computer readable mediumincludes computer program code for accessing a set of identifier valuesstored in the mobile wireless communication device, computer programcode for selecting a set of carrier service configuration profiles basedon combinations of the accessed set of identifier values, and computerprogram code for configuring the mobile wireless communication deviceusing one of the selected carrier service configuration profiles.

In still another embodiment, a method is described. The method can becarried out by performing at least the following operations. Providing amobile communication device having at least a first authentication codefor authenticating a user of a mobile wireless communication device to aprimary wireless communication service and a second authentication codefor authenticating the user of the mobile wireless communication deviceto a secondary wireless communication service, wherein the primary andthe secondary wireless communication services are different from eachother and wherein the primary wireless communication service is theuser's home wireless communication service, accessing a set ofidentifier values stored in the mobile wireless communication deviceassociated with the secondary wireless when the user is in an areaserviced only by the secondary wireless service, selecting a set ofcarrier service configuration profiles based on combinations of theaccessed set of identifier values, configuring the mobile wirelesscommunication device using one of the selected carrier serviceconfiguration profiles, and operating the mobile communication device inthe area serviced only by the secondary wireless communication servicewithout roaming.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention and the advantages thereof may best be understood byreference to the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a mobile wireless communication device communicatingwith resources through a communication network.

FIG. 2 illustrates components of a mobile wireless communication device.

FIG. 3 illustrates a representative subdivision of a wireless networkamong multiple wireless communication service providers using a set ofidentifiers.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate formats of two identifiers stored in mobilewireless communication devices.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate formats of two additional identifiersoptionally stored in mobile wireless communication devices.

FIG. 6 illustrates a representative method for configuring a mobilewireless communication device using a set of identifier values stored inthe mobile wireless communication device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth toprovide a thorough understanding of the concepts underlying thedescribed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled inthe art that the described embodiments may be practiced without some orall of these specific details. In other instances, well known processsteps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring the underlying concepts.

Mobile wireless communication devices, such as a cellular telephone or awireless personal digital assistant, can offer multiple communicationservices ranging from basic voice connections to text messaging tomulti-media internet access. While a single manufactured mobile wirelesscommunication device can include the capability to access a broadvariety of services, a wireless service provider can restrict access toa set of services to which a user of the mobile wireless communicationdevice subscribes. Additionally a wireless communication serviceprovider can prefer to customize operational characteristics of themobile wireless communication device when used on a particular wirelesscommunications network. Customization can include, for example, to whichshort message service (SMS) or voice mail server the mobile wirelesscommunication device points, or how the mobile wireless communicationdevice connects to internet access. A manufacturer can supply the samemobile wireless communication device to multiple wireless communicationservice providers, each provider requiring a different customization.Customizing mobile wireless communication devices at the time ofmanufacture can prove logistically complex; thus it is preferable tocustomize each mobile wireless communication device closer to the pointof sale to the user of the mobile wireless communication device.

Universal integrated circuit cards (UICC) are a form of “smart card”used in mobile wireless communication devices on various wirelesscommunication networks. A well-known version of a UICC is a subscriberidentity module (SIM) card that can be used in mobile wirelesscommunication devices on Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)wireless communication networks. Equivalents of SIM cards also includeUSIM cards on universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS) networksand CSIM cards on Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks. SIMcards can be issued by a wireless communication service provider to auser of a mobile wireless communication device. The SIM card can beinserted into the mobile wireless communication device and enable thatdevice to identify a user of the mobile wireless communication device asa subscriber of set of services offered by a particular wirelesscommunication service provider. In some configurations, a SIM card canenable a user to switch between using different wireless communicationdevices by simply removing the SIM card from a first device andinserting the SIM card into a second device. On some wirelesscommunication networks, a mobile wireless communication device can belocked to a particular wireless communication service provider's SIMcards, such as when purchasing a mobile wireless communication devicewith a service subscription contract from a particular wirelesscommunication service provider.

The SIM card contains a unique serial number known as an internationalmobile subscriber identity (ISMI) that can authenticate a user of amobile wireless communication device to a wireless communication serviceprovider through its wireless communication network. Portions of theIMSI can be accessed from the SIM card in a mobile wirelesscommunication device to configure the device for a particular wirelesscommunication service provider's network. Multiple wirelesscommunication service providers, however, can share a common wirelesscommunication network infrastructure, and current methods can onlydistinguish a particular network rather than an individual serviceprovider offering services through that particular network.

Thus there exists a need to more flexibly configure a mobile wirelesscommunication device using a combination of stored identifiers withinthe mobile wireless communication device, thereby enabling greatercustomization of mobile wireless communication devices for multiplewireless service providers using one or more different wirelesscommunication networks.

FIG. 1 illustrates a representative mobile wireless communication devicefor a GSM network labeled as a mobile station (MS) 103 formed using acombination of a mobile equipment (ME) 101 and a SIM card 102. Aplurality of mobile stations 103 can connect to a wireless communicationservice provider through an access network comprising one or more basestation systems 104, each base station system 104 built from one or morewireless communication radio antennas and base station controllers (notshown). Wireless communication signals from multiple mobile stations 103can be received and consolidated through the access network of basestation systems 104 and routed to one or more resources located across acore “transport” network 105. Resources that support a wide variety ofwireless communication services can include servers for voice mail andemail managed by a wireless communication service provider, illustratedfor example as an operator server 108. Other resources can includepublic data servers 107 available for access through the internet andprivate data servers 106 available for limited access through anenterprise network.

In today's deregulated telecommunications environment, equipment in eachregion can be owned and managed by different entities. Thus an endpointmobile station 103 can be purchased by a user through a retail outlet,for example an Apple iPhone™ manufactured by Apple, Inc. of Cupertino,Calif. The mobile station 103 can include a SIM 102 configured tooperate through base station systems 104 of a particular access networkowned by a wireless network service provider, such as AT&T in the UnitedStates. Alternatively an identically manufactured end point mobilestation 103 can be purchased by a user with a different SIM 102configured to operate on a different wireless network service provider'sinfrastructure, such as Rogers Wireless in Canada. Each mobile station103 can be identified and authenticated for use on a particular wirelessinfrastructure network based on identifiers stored in the SIM 102installed in the mobile station 103. The limited set of identifiers usedtoday, however, cannot distinguish between different wireless serviceproviders that use the same wireless infrastructure network, nor can aparticular wireless service provider differentiate between differentgroups of subscribers.

Wireless communication network providers can choose to offer differentservices to different types of wireless communication subscribers, suchas those that subscribe to a monthly pay service versus a pre-paidservice. Subscribers can have access to different resources through awireless communication service provider's network based on theirparticular subscription. In some cases, users can be required to modifyoperational parameters of the mobile wireless communication device toaccess certain services by manually changing settings on the device,which can be inconvenient for the user and prone to error. Wirelesscommunication network providers can also increase the use of theirwireless network infrastructure through partnerships with mobile virtualnetwork operators (MVNO) that do not own or operate a wireless network.An MVNO partner can share the same wireless infrastructure accessnetwork as the wireless communication network provider, and thus an MVNOcannot be distinguished from the wireless communication network providerpartner when only a limited set of identifiers stored in the wirelessmobile communication device are used. Expanding to customizing theoperation of a wireless mobile communication device based on a wider setof identifiers can provide a mechanism to distinguish among differentwireless service providers and among different groups of subscribers.

FIG. 2 illustrates a representative mobile wireless communication device200 that includes a processor 201 that can access information, such as aset of identifiers, stored in the SIM 102. The processor 201 canretrieve carrier service configuration profiles 205, also known ascarrier bundles, stored in a directory of system files 203 and/or in adirectory of user files 204 located in memory 202 of the mobile wirelesscommunication device 200. Each carrier service configuration profile 205can include settings customized for configuring the mobile wirelesscommunication device 200 to operate on a particular wirelesscommunication service provider's network. Carrier service configurationprofiles 205 can be general, such as for any user of a wirelesscommunication service provider's infrastructure network, or specific,such as for a select group of subscribers that can access a subset ofservices offered by an MVNO through a particular wireless communicationservice provider's infrastructure network. The mobile wirelesscommunication device 200 can store many different carrier serviceconfiguration profiles 205 at the same time. When the mobile wirelesscommunication device 200 recognizes a “new” SIM 102, such as whenpowering on the device or when inserting a SIM 102, a set of identifiersin the SIM 102 can be accessed to determine one or more carrier serviceconfiguration profiles 205 stored in the system files 203 or user files204 that can be used to configure the mobile wireless communicationdevice 200.

One mechanism to select which carrier service configuration profile 205to configure a mobile wireless communication device 200 can be based ona portion of the IMSI, namely the mobile country code (MCC) and themobile network code (MNC), stored in the SIM 102. Values for MCC and MNCare defined in international communication standards including ITU-Trecommendation E.212. For example MCC value 310=US and MNC value410=AT&T Mobility. An MCC/MNC combination can define a physical wirelessinfrastructure network. As more than one wireless network serviceprovider, e.g. multiple MVNOs, can use the same physical wirelessinfrastructure network, a value for the MCC/MNC combination cannotidentify a wireless network service provider with sufficientspecificity. Additional identifiers to the MCC/MNC can be used tospecify a particular wireless network service provider that offersservice through a wireless infrastructure network. Similarly identifierscan be used to specify a group of subscribers having a particularservice, or to whom a wireless network service provider wants to offer aparticular “user experience.” Rather than require a user to configuremanually the mobile wireless communication device 200, it is preferredthat configuration can occur automatically based on combinations ofidentifiers stored in the SIM 102.

FIG. 3 illustrates conceptually that a common wireless networkinfrastructure 300 can be shared among two different wireless networkservice providers A and B, and a combination of identifiers can be usedtogether to specify a particular set of operating characteristics of amobile wireless communication device. The pair of identifiers MCC andMNC described earlier can be common to both providers A and B, includingdifferent service options offered by providers A and B. A firstadditional identifier, (elementary file group identifier 1) labeledEF_(GID1), can be used to specify provider A or B, while a secondadditional identifier, labeled EF_(GID2), can be used to specify betweentwo different feature sets offered by provider B. Representativeoperational service characteristic customizations can include changingwhat information displays on a “home screen” of the mobile wirelesscommunication device 200 when connected to a particular wireless networkservice provider, such as AT&T or Rogers Wireless. A wireless networkservice provider can also require a particular application be loaded onthe mobile wireless communication device 200 when using their service.FIG. 3 illustrates a simple representative embodiment, but additionalidentifiers and/or more complex combinations of identifiers can be usedto specify a set of operational characteristics for a mobile wirelesscommunication device.

FIG. 4A illustrates a format of an international mobile subscriberidentity (IMSI) 401 specified in the international telecommunicationsrecommendation ITU-T E.212 for a SEM 102. The first three digits of theIMSI 401 can specify a mobile country code (MCC) 402. The next two orthree digits of the IMSI 401 following the MCC 402 can specify a mobilenetwork code (403). The final set of not more than 10 digits can specifya mobile subscriber identification number (MSIN) 403. A country or aregion can be associated with one or more MCC 402 values. For example,US can be assigned MCC 402 values between 310 and 316, while Canada andMexico can be assigned values 302 and 334 respectively. Mobile networkcodes 403 can be two digits, such as used in the European Union, orthree digits as used in North America. Multiple MNC 403 values can beassociated with a wireless mobile network service provider, such as forAT&T Mobility that operates multiple wireless infrastructure networks indifferent geographic regions of the US. A combination of MCC 402 and MNC403 values can specify a particular wireless network service providerthat owns and manages a physical wireless infrastructure network. TheMCC/MNC combination, however, cannot specify an MVNO that uses the samewireless infrastructure network.

In addition to the IMSI 401, a SIM 102 can include a 19-20 digitintegrated circuit card identifier (ICC-ID) 410 specified in ITU-Trecommendation E.118 as illustrated in FIG. 4B. The ICC-ID 410 beginswith a two digit major industry identifier (MII) 411, which is assignedthe value 89 for telecommunications in the ISO/IEC 7812-1 standard.Following the MH 411 is a 1 to 3 digit country code 412 defined by ITU-Trecommendation E.164. These country codes do not have the same values asthe MCC 403 values used in the IMSI 401. After the country code 412, anissuer identifier 413 of a variable length can be used. Each country orregional zone can use a different length issue identifier 413, althoughall issuer identifiers 413 within a country or regional zone can use thesame number of digits. The MII 411, country code 412 and issueidentifier 413 together can form a maximum 7 digit prefix 415 for theICC-ID 410. A variable length individual account ID 414 can follow theprefix 415. Each issuer can use the same length individual account ID414. While the same identification information included in the MCC 402and MNC 403 pair can be derived from the country code 412 and issueridentifier 413 in the ICC-ID prefix 415, there can be some difficultyparsing the ICC-ID prefix 415. Thus, the ICC-ID prefix 415 can beconsidered a separate piece of information from the MCC 402 and MNC 403.A particular MCC 402 and MNC 403 combination of values can specify aphysical wireless infrastructure network, while an ICC-ID prefix 415value can specify a wireless network service provider including an MVNO.Thus the ICC-ID prefix 415 can provide a more specific identification.

FIGS. 5A and 5B outline formats for two identifiers, optionally storedin SIM 102 cards, described in the 3GPP TS 31.102 wireless communicationstandard. The first identifier EF_(GID1) 501 (elementary file groupidentifier 1) can vary in length from 1 to n bytes. Similarly the secondidentifier EF_(GID2) 502 (elementary file group identifier 2) can rangefrom 1 to n bytes. These two elementary file group identifiers can beused to specify a subset of SIM 102 cards having a particular property,such as a subset of SEM 102 cards associated with a particular wirelessnetwork service operator that cannot be specified by an MCC/MNCcombination or a subset of SEM 102 cards having a specific set ofoperational parameters for a service. As the length of these groupidentifiers is arbitrarily long, a fine degree of specificity can beachieved when selecting a carrier service configuration profile withwhich to configure a wireless mobile communication device 200. Thisspecificity can be realized by combining values for these elementaryfile group identifiers with values for the MCC 402, the MNC 403 and theICC-ID prefix 415.

The system files 203 and user files 204 stored in memory 202 on themobile wireless communication device 200 can include a set of carrierservice configuration profiles 205. In an embodiment, the carrierservice configuration profiles 205 can be files labeled with a series ofidentifiers. For example a file name for a particular carrier serviceconfiguration profile 205 can include a combination of values for one ormore of MCC 402, MNC 403, EF_(GID1) 501, EF_(GID2) 502 and ICC-ID prefix415. Carrier service configuration profiles 205 labeled with only valuesfor MCC 402 and MNC 403 can provide a more generic configuration for themobile wireless communication device 200, while carrier serviceconfiguration profiles 203 Labeled with values for MCC 402, MNC 403,EF_(GID1) 501 and EF_(GID2) 502 can provide a more specificconfiguration. A hierarchy of specificity for carrier serviceconfiguration profiles 203 can be ranked from more generic to morespecific as follows: MCC/MNC only (more generic), MCC/MNC ICC-ID prefix,MCC/MNC+EF_(GID2), MCC/MNC+EF_(GID1), MCC/MNC+EF_(GID1)+EF_(GID2) (morespecific).

A set of candidate carrier service configuration profiles 205 can bedetermined by searching for any carrier service configuration profile205 with a matching pair of MCC 402 and MNC 403 values to thosecontained in the SIM 102 card of a mobile wireless communication device200. Matching carrier service configuration profiles 205 can include,for example, those that match with MCC/MNC only, as well as those withgreater specificity such as MCC/MNC/EF_(GID1)/EF_(GID2). In order toconfigure the mobile wireless communication device 200, oneconfiguration profile from the set of candidate carrier serviceconfiguration profiles 205 that match the MCC 402 and MNC 403 pair canbe selected by assigning a numerical priority ranking score to eachcandidate carrier service configuration profile 205 based onspecificity. As an example, a carrier configuration service profile 205that matches on MCC/MNC only can be assigned a priority ranking score of50 while a carrier service configuration profile 205 that matches onMCC/MNC/EF_(GID1)/EF_(GID2) can be assigned a priority ranking score of90. Other carrier service configuration profiles 205 with intermediatespecificity can be assigned priority ranking scores in between. As oneexample, a carrier service configuration profile 205 that matches basedon MCC/MNC/EF_(GID1) or MCC/MNC/EF_(GID2) can be assigned a priorityranking score of 80, while a carrier service configuration profile 205that matches based on MCC/MNC/ICC-ID can be assigned a ranking of 70.Ideally, one carrier service configuration profile 205 has a highestpriory score ranking and that carrier service configuration profile 205can be used to configure the mobile wireless communication device 200;however, multiple carrier service configuration profiles 205 can havethe same priority ranking, in which case a version number for thecarrier service configuration profiles 205 can be read to determine themost recently updated one to use.

The directories of system files 203 and user files 204 located in memory202 of the mobile wireless communication device 200 can be updated inthe field, for example by synchronizing the mobile wirelesscommunication device 200 through an update from the wireless servicenetwork provider to which the user (as identified by the IMSI in the SIM102) subscribes for wireless service. This update can be accomplishedautomatically in the background, without user intervention, by sending aseries of short message system (SMS) messages. Alternatively, an updatecan occur when synchronizing the mobile wireless communication device200 with a computing device (such as a personal computer on which backupfiles are stored). A user can also actively request updates.

Typically carrier service configuration profiles 205 in the system files203 directory can be updated when updating a systems software versionfor the mobile wireless communication device 200. Carrier serviceconfiguration profiles 205 in the user files 205 directory can beupdated through a computing device synchronization or background processwith the service provider. As such, both the system files 203 directoryand the user files 204 directory can be searched when looking formatching candidate carrier service configuration profiles 205. In someembodiments, it is preferred that a system reboot of the mobile wirelesscommunication device 200 not be required to change the carrier serviceconfiguration profile in use. Certain wireless service functions, forexample enabling an advanced service such as video multimedia messagingservices (MMS), can require using a new carrier service configurationprofile 205. In some embodiments, a user can select a particular servicefeature and receive an updated carrier service configuration profile 205with which to configure the mobile wireless communication device 200 touse the particular service feature.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method of configuring a mobile wirelesscommunication device 200 using a set of identifiers. In step 601 a setof identifier values stored in the mobile wireless communication device200 can be accessed. In step 602 a set of carrier service configurationprofiles 205 stored in the mobile wireless communication device 200 canbe selected based on combinations of the accessed identifier values. Instep 603 each of the selected carrier service configuration profiles 205can be priority ranked based on a range of specificity for matching thecarrier service configuration profile 205 to the combination of accessedidentifier values. In step 604, the mobile wireless communication device200 can be configured using the highest ranked wireless serviceconfiguration profile 604. In some embodiments, when more than onewireless service configuration profile 604 have the same highestranking, a most recent wireless service configuration profile 604 havingthe highest ranking can be used for configuring the mobile wirelesscommunication device 200.

In addition to differentiating between a wireless service provider thatowns and operates its own wireless infrastructure network from an MVNO,the described wireless carrier service configuration method can providecustomization for large enterprise customers of a wireless serviceprovider. An enterprise customer can have a contract with a wirelesscommunication service provider to offer specific services to theiremployees on a set of mobile wireless communication devices. As oneexample, the carrier service configuration profile 205 specific to theenterprise customer on the particular carrier's network can direct themobile wireless communication device 200 to use a specific set of secureservers for electronic mail synchronization. This can be accomplished byincluding specific values for the identifiers EF_(GID1) 501 andEF_(GID2) 502 stored in the SIM 102 card on the mobile wirelesscommunication devices 200 supplied to the enterprise customer.

In some embodiments, a mobile wireless communication device 200 caninclude multiple IMSI 401 values on the same SIM 102 card. A user of themobile wireless communication device 200 can, for example, subscribe toa service whereby one wireless infrastructure network can be used as a“home” network (identified by one IMSI 401) and a different wirelessinfrastructure network can be used as a “visiting” network (identifiedby a second IMSI 401), without incurring roaming charges. This dual IMSI401 arrangement can occur through partnering agreements between the twowireless communication service providers that own and manage the twodifferent wireless communication networks. Certain service features,however, for the user of the mobile wireless communication device 200can require different operating characteristics for each network onwhich the mobile wireless communication device 200 is used. As oneexample, an MMS service can require the mobile wireless communicationdevice 200 to point to a set of MMS servers located on the “home”network rather than a set of MMS servers used by the “visiting” network.The identifiers EF_(GID1) 501 and EF_(GID2) 502 stored in the SIM 102card can be used to select a carrier service configuration profile 205that correctly configures the mobile wireless communication device 200.Thus, in some embodiments, certain services can depend on the MCC 402and MNC 403 values, while other services can depend on the EF_(GID1) 501and EF_(GID2) 502 values. As an example, assume Rogers Wirelesscorresponds to an MCC/MNC value of 302/720 and Movistar corresponds toan MCC/MNC value of 334/03. If Rogers Wireless has an agreement withMovistar, whereby subscribers to Rogers Wireless service can accesscertain services on the Rogers Wireless network, even when the user isoperating the mobile wireless communication device 200 on the Movistarnetwork, then the EF_(GID1) 501 and EF_(GID2) 502 values stored in theSIM 102 card can be associated with distinguishing such a service. Forexample, an EF_(GID1)/EF_(GID2) value of 1111/2222 can correspond toaccess to Rogers Wireless MMS servers when combined with MCC/MNC valuesof 302/720 (on Rogers Wireless network) or 334/03 (on Movistar network).

Various aspects of the described embodiments can be implemented bysoftware, hardware or a combination of hardware and software. Thedescribed embodiments can also be embodied as computer readable code ona computer readable medium for controlling manufacturing operations oras computer readable code on a computer readable medium for controllinga manufacturing line used to fabricate thermoplastic molded parts. Thecomputer readable medium is any data storage device that can store datawhich can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of thecomputer readable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory,CD-ROMs, DVDs, magnetic tape, optical data storage devices, and carrierwaves. The computer readable medium can also be distributed overnetwork-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code isstored and executed in a distributed fashion.

The various aspects, embodiments, implementations or features of thedescribed embodiments can be used separately or in any combination. Theforegoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specificnomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention.However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specificdetails are not required in order to practice the invention. Thus, theforegoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present inventionare presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formsdisclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art thatmany modifications and variations are possible in view of the aboveteachings.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and its practical applications, to therebyenable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention andvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

1-25. (canceled)
 26. A method of configuring a mobile wirelesscommunication device, the method comprising: accessing one or moreidentifier values from one or more sets of identifier values, where eachset of identifier values is associated with a respective availablecarrier configuration profile; determining priority rankings of theavailable carrier configuration profiles based at least in part on therespective accessed one or more identifier values and one or morecarrier selection criteria; and configuring the mobile wirelesscommunication device with a carrier configuration profile with a highestpriority ranking.
 27. A mobile wireless device configured according tothe method comprising: accessing one or more identifier values ofrespective ones of pluralities of identifier values, where eachplurality of identifier values is associated with a respective carrierconfiguration profile; determining respective priorities of the carrierconfiguration profiles based at least in part on: (i) the respectiveaccessed one or more identifier values, and (ii) one or more carrierselection criteria; and configuring the mobile wireless communicationdevice with a carrier configuration profile having, based on thedetermining, a highest priority.
 28. A mobile wireless device,comprising: a processor; and computerized logic in data communicationwith the processor and configured to: access at least one identifiervalue of respective ones of pluralities of identifier values, where eachplurality of identifier values is associated with a respective carrierconfiguration profile; determine respective priorities of the carrierconfiguration profiles based at least in part on: (i) the respectiveaccessed at least one identifier value, and (ii) one or more carrierselection criteria; and configure the mobile wireless communicationdevice with a carrier configuration profile having, based on thedetermination, a priority that meets or exceeds an acceptance criterion.